3rdorder

4th Order

2. The rule of degrees

The nearness of relationship is determined by the number of generations, each generation constituting an additional degree.

Direct line

A direct line is the continuation of degrees between persons who are descended one from another, for example children or grand children. A generation represents a degree between people, thus a son is first degree from his father, the grandson is second degree.

Collateral line

The collateral line is the continuation of degrees between persons who are not descended one from another, but who are descended from a common ancestor. The degrees are counted by generation, from the relative to the common ancestor. Thus two brothers are second degree (the parents’ first degree), the uncle and nephew are third degree, first cousins are fourth degree. Collateral relatives do not inherit beyond the sixth degree.